MD Paediatrics NEET-PG 2026-27: 4,893 seats across India

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the postgraduate seat matrix for the 2026-27 academic year, confirming a total of 4,893 MD Paediatrics positions across India's medical colleges. This data is critical for NEET-PG aspirants planning their speciality choice and counselling strategy. The seat distribution varies significantly by state, with southern and western states offering substantially more positions than northeastern and smaller union territories. Understanding this landscape helps you assess competition, predict cutoffs, and make informed decisions about where to pursue paediatrics training.

Total MD Paediatrics capacity and national distribution

The NMC's updated seat matrix for 2026-27 allocates 4,893 MD Paediatrics positions across all 32 states and union territories in India. This figure is part of a broader postgraduate ecosystem that includes 68,305 total MD, MS, Diploma, and MCh (6-year) seats across all broad-speciality PG courses. The paediatrics allocation reflects the demand for child health specialists and the capacity of medical institutions to train them.

For a NEET-PG aspirant, this total seat count is your denominator for calculating realistic cutoff predictions. If you are targeting paediatrics, knowing the national pool helps you understand how competitive the speciality is relative to others. Paediatrics typically attracts strong candidates due to its clinical appeal and career stability, so the actual cutoff will depend on the number of qualified applicants competing for these 4,893 seats.

Top three states: Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu lead paediatrics capacity

Karnataka offers the highest number of MD Paediatrics seats at 680, followed by Maharashtra with 509 seats and Tamil Nadu with 521 seats. Together, these three states provide 1,710 positions—approximately 35% of all paediatrics seats in India. This concentration reflects the presence of large, well-established medical college networks in these states and their historical investment in postgraduate medical education.

For aspirants, this means that if you are willing to pursue paediatrics in southern or western India, your chances of securing a seat are substantially higher than in other regions. However, this also implies that cutoffs in these states may be competitive, as they attract candidates from across India. If your NEET-PG score is in the mid-to-high range, these states should be your primary targets during counselling. Conversely, if your score is lower, exploring seats in states with fewer positions but potentially lower cutoffs may be a strategic alternative.

• Karnataka: 680 seats (highest)
• Tamil Nadu: 521 seats
• Maharashtra: 509 seats
• Combined: 1,710 seats (35% of national total)

Mid-tier states: Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh

Beyond the top three, Uttar Pradesh offers 468 MD Paediatrics seats, Telangana provides 356, and Andhra Pradesh contributes 321. These mid-tier states collectively add another 1,145 seats to the paediatrics pool. Uttar Pradesh's significant capacity reflects its large population and the number of medical colleges across the state, while Telangana and Andhra Pradesh represent the growing postgraduate infrastructure in southern India.

Aspirants with scores in the moderate-to-good range should consider these states as realistic options. The cutoffs here are typically lower than in Karnataka or Maharashtra but higher than in smaller states. If you are flexible about location and willing to work in tier-2 cities or smaller metros, these states offer a balanced opportunity: reasonable seat availability and potentially more achievable cutoffs than the top three states.

• Uttar Pradesh: 468 seats
• Telangana: 356 seats
• Andhra Pradesh: 321 seats

Smaller states and union territories: Limited but available seats

States like Rajasthan (281 seats), Gujarat (251 seats), Madhya Pradesh (213 seats), and West Bengal (201 seats) form a secondary tier of paediatrics capacity. Below them, Kerala (178 seats), Delhi (142 seats), and Odisha (119 seats) offer moderate numbers. At the lower end, union territories and smaller states such as Chandigarh (13 seats), Tripura (12 seats), Goa and Manipur (10 seats each), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Sikkim (2 seats each) have very limited positions.

For aspirants with lower NEET-PG scores, these smaller states and union territories can be strategic choices. While competition may be less intense, the absolute number of seats is small, so securing one requires careful planning during counselling. Aspirants should also consider the quality of training, infrastructure, and career prospects in these institutions, not just seat availability. Some smaller states have excellent medical colleges, while others may have limited resources. Research the specific colleges offering paediatrics in your target state before finalizing your counselling choices.

• Rajasthan: 281 seats
• Gujarat: 251 seats
• Madhya Pradesh: 213 seats
• West Bengal: 201 seats
• Kerala: 178 seats
• Delhi: 142 seats
• Odisha: 119 seats
• Bihar: 117 seats
• Puducherry: 81 seats

State-wise seat matrix: Complete breakdown for counselling planning

The complete state-wise distribution is essential for your counselling strategy. The NMC matrix lists all 32 states and union territories with their respective MD Paediatrics seat allocations. This granular data allows you to map your NEET-PG score against realistic options across the country. For example, if your score places you in the 50th percentile nationally, you can identify which states' paediatrics seats are likely within your reach based on historical cutoff trends.

During counselling, you will rank colleges in order of preference. Knowing the seat distribution helps you balance your choices: include aspirational colleges in high-capacity states (where cutoffs may be lower due to more seats), realistic options in mid-tier states, and safety choices in smaller states or less competitive regions. This balanced approach maximizes your chances of securing a paediatrics seat in a college of your choice.

What this seat matrix means for your NEET-PG strategy

The 2026-27 seat matrix is your roadmap for realistic counselling planning. With 4,893 paediatrics seats nationally, the speciality remains moderately competitive but not as saturated as general medicine or surgery. Your NEET-PG score will determine which states and colleges are accessible to you. Aspirants scoring in the top 10-15% nationally can target seats in premier institutions in Karnataka, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu. Those in the 20-40% range have good options across mid-tier states. Aspirants below the 50th percentile should focus on smaller states or less competitive regions to secure a seat.

The NMC's release of this matrix before the 2026-27 counselling cycle allows you to prepare strategically. Research the colleges offering paediatrics in your target states, understand their reputation, training quality, and placement outcomes. Cross-reference the seat matrix with historical cutoff data (if available from previous years) to estimate where your score might land. This preparation will help you make confident, informed choices during the actual counselling process and avoid last-minute panic or poor decisions.

Broader context: Paediatrics within the 68,305 total PG seats

The 4,893 MD Paediatrics seats are part of a larger ecosystem of 68,305 total PG broad-speciality positions (MD, MS, Diploma, and MCh 6-year courses) available in 2026-27. This means paediatrics accounts for approximately 7.2% of all broad-speciality PG seats in India. For context, this reflects the relative demand for paediatricians compared to other specialities like medicine, surgery, and radiology, which typically have higher seat counts.

Understanding this proportion helps you gauge paediatrics' competitiveness. If you are considering multiple specialities, knowing that paediatrics has a moderate seat share suggests it is neither oversaturated nor extremely rare. This can influence your counselling strategy: if paediatrics is your first choice, you have reasonable odds of securing a seat if your score is competitive. If it is a backup, you should also prepare for alternative specialities with higher or lower seat counts depending on your score range.

How the NMC updates seat matrices and what it means for aspirants

The NMC's Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) releases updated seat matrices after processing applications for increased intake capacity in existing PG courses and approving new PG courses in medical institutes. This means the 4,893 paediatrics seats for 2026-27 reflect the latest approvals and capacity expansions as of the matrix release date. Aspirants should note that seat numbers can change year to year based on institutional applications and regulatory approvals.

For your planning, this underscores the importance of using the most recent official seat matrix from the NMC. Older data or estimates from previous years may not reflect current capacity. Always cross-check the official NMC website or the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) portal for the latest seat matrix before finalizing your counselling preferences. If you are preparing for NEET-PG in 2026-27, this matrix is your authoritative reference.

Frequently asked questions

The 2026-27 MD Paediatrics seat matrix is now your planning blueprint. Use the state-wise distribution to identify realistic targets based on your expected NEET-PG score, research colleges in your preferred states, and prepare a balanced counselling preference list. Stay updated with the official NMC and MCC portals for any final updates closer to the counselling cycle.